UnShadoWIT

What Next - Chapter 6

Why am I always so fortunate to receive such shocks? This time really bit early; yeah, this time, its early morning.

Every time I used to get ready to meet Arjun and used to take some extra time to get an extra attraction. But now, I burst out my cries silently.

I hurriedly got ready; Meanwhile, I noticed Swapna and she was still sleeping, she might be little tired of yesterday’s outing. I don’t want to spoil her day like mine.

I came down and looked. Everything was so calm, not like me. Mom was in kitchen and dad was scanning the world affairs.

“Mom, I have taken leave today; I am going out as an emergency”, without waiting for her reply I moved from that place.

Dad looked at me and asked ‘Shall I drop you there?’

My heart got heated up without any geyser. “I am not a kid; I have my mind and own enough age to decide the things. I want to be alone at least this time”, I shouted and came out.

I took an auto and told the address he looked me from top to bottom as he can see me as single for the last time.

Undoubtedly, I had troubles in my journey similar to my life journey. Thanks to the fabulous road and the charming traffic which added a spoonful of worseness to my great, yet another worst day. I reached the place within a couple of hours. The driver was still scanning me and I was scanning Nisha and Arjun.

This should not happen for me. I saw both of them were talking to each other.

The one, who disturbs me in all of my thoughts. Whether, Can I disturb them, now?

For a minute, I shut my eyes and my thoughts, to pacify myself, “Anamika, stay calm’.

When I opened my eyes, Arjun was not there and she was alone. I went there without wearing smiles. She told she is going to marry Jeffin and their parents were against to their decision. And even I too.

‘Nisha, this is not the right way and you should not go against your parents’, I told to her.

‘Anu, will you shut up on this. What you know about me and why you are interfering into this and this is none of your business’.

I talked calmly, to pacify her,’ Nisha, If you don’t mind, shall I ask you one thing?’

Yes Anu, you can. If that is not regarding me.

‘If I marry Arjun without saying a word to you what will you think? And what will you do?’

‘Are you joking Anu? You’re bad in humor sense and I can firmly say that Arjun will not do this at any cost.’

‘Same your parents also thinks like this, Nisha. Please revisit your state, Nisha. Be bold enough to face the situation. Try to understand your parents first and they will reciprocate the same to you. Take your time and think it off dear. I am leaving I would be happy neither you live with Jeffin nor with Jeffin in your family. The decision is all yours and decides the best’, I advised her.

While coming, I saw Arjun and Jeffin both coming together with garland. He tried to speak with me but I moved the place.

He pulled me; I asked him to leave. But, still he was holding his hands on me I slapped him hardly and left the place swiftly.

I don’t know why I slapped him. May be due to this clumsy situation happened or that much love I had on him or I don’t like to lose him for any reason. All these things might bust out and I touched his cheeks not softly but hardly.

If that auto man looks at me now. After seeing my single status, he will be happy; I presume.

I reached my home and it is looking like the haunted place because of me. All are very upset and I know I have to set the things like before.

Mom came and hugged me tightly. I am not able to speak with words rather than my cries and then she went to prepare dinner for us.

We all had our dinner together and started to smile again with complete essence. I love it, not the food but the smiles scattered. I took the mobile and noticed that Arjun messages and his uncountable calls. I ignored him like his messages and calls.

Nevertheless to say, I have to sleep which my soul needs badly.

After that incident, I am not able to face him because of the slap I made in his face. Though I was longing to see him, I was avoiding him in college but not his wonderful thoughts.

He tried to speak with me but I was so stubborn that I should not talk and it has been more than a week and our semesters have started. So, I was concentrating on my exams.

One fine day, after the exam I saw him and his sandwich eyes. It was pleading in front of me. I was using the steps while he was climbing down the steps. “Arjun sorry”, I whispered to myself.

“I always want to be in your hands. I never think off that my hands will slap you”. “Arjun, Please forgive Anamika..”, It’s rare to see roller coaster thoughts in my mind.

He came closely; He touched me and my curved hips; He looked at my eyes; He came very near to my lips. I closed my eyes tightly. I am in hands of lovable Arjun, yes MY ARJUN.

- Stay here for the NEXT…

story

What Next - Chapter 5

I was so eagerly waiting for his words. Everything around us faded; only me, Arjun and his unspoken words.

For each second of his silence, I was plucking roses from my garden and I did a bouquet for him; Arjun say it now.

He said, ‘Anu, you are gorgeous today’.

‘Arjun, Have you had any eyesight problems previously?’, I asked.

‘Absolutely not’, he confirmed back; ‘May I have the reason for your stupid silly question?’

By staring at him, I said, ‘Not only today, I always look gorgeous. Is it today only you noticed my beauty? I pity for you’.

‘I never had eyesight problem before might I have now after seeing you’, he said. He was about to start some conversation and looked at me. Meantime, all other friends have done their shopping and took their respective chairs in the coffee shop and then Arjun was discussing something seriously with his friends with little disappointment importantly with Nisha.

We all came out from the mall and Arjun realized that he missed his bike key in the coffee shop itself. So, hurriedly he went in again for his key.

I saw a man coming closer to me and asked, ‘Anu, shall we have a bike race?’

‘Don’t show up that you got your bike keys’, I said and chuckled.

‘So, you do fear like my friends that you will not win the race, Is it so Anu’, he laughed and asked ‘Have you lost your guts in the mall itself?’

‘I am ready to get my trophy’, I said with rudeness.

Before this I know I have to convince Swapna so I started to plead her, ’Swapna I need a favor and promise, favor is please let me go and promise me that you will not say this to mom and dad’. After hitting her mind hardly, she said yes and I kissed on her cheek to calm her. She advised me not to go but I decided to prove myself to him.

Look here racer madam, we have to go till the end of the street and have to come back again to the entrance of the mall. I know you are a good listener and it’s time to see whether you are fit as a racer or not.

I just focused the end point of the road and I kick started my bike. Arjun overtook me in the first half of the way and then I, again Arjun and then I and never turned back to lose my trophy. Every girl likes to fly in her bike; I unfastened my wings after many years. I reached the mall entrance and I was about to cherish my win I looked at my boy, where is he? I zoomed in my cornea lens I was surprised to see him helping the two old couple people to cross the roads and then he started the bike.

He came and congratulated me with a broad smile.

I told, ‘I might have win in this race but you have won everyone’s heart’

We reached our home safely. ‘How was the day Anamika?’, mom asked me.

Mom its fabulous, I have enjoyed thoroughly; I watched a movie; I was chitchatting with friends and I drove..’ I looked at Swapna with my corner of my eyes whether she will help me now.

Mom with lots of panics asked me, what!! You drove bike.

Swapna said, ‘Sorry, I have not broken the promise; it’s you Anu’, she laughed and looked at mom to convince her.

I was quiet because I do not know how to set the things. Suddenly, Swapna consoled mom and she winked at me.

Many days, I and Swapna, we used to help mom in the kitchen and today is one of the days. I was thinking about Arjun and Nisha, I don’t know whether I have a projector in my mind, it immediately started the slide show and in all the slides, Arjun and Nisha were so close and talking to each other personally. Instead of appreciating my mind for a marvelous presentation; I got irritated.

‘Anu, I thought you will help me out but now I think, I have to help you out to identify vegetables; Look at down baby?’, Mom asked me.

Without any panic, I just looked down and noticed that I was cutting the bare table without any vegetables.

‘Mom nowadays she became oblivion. Anu, at least, do you remember my name, I am Swapna’, she said and giggled.

She was teasing me for a long time. I have not reacted anything. I was just smiling.

Swapna went to dad and asked, ‘Dad do you like Swapna or Anu?’

Dad called me and asked me to sit next to him. Swapna asked again, ‘Dad please summon your answer’.

Dad looked at me and Swapna and he told ‘Anu is the first child who called me Dad, obviously, I like her than you; even your mom too. By saying this dad kissed on my forehead’.

I laid my face on dad’s shoulder and I was crying.

Next day I went to the college, he didn't come to have lunch so I dialed his number.

‘Hi Anamika’, I heard from the other side.

‘Arjun where are you? Come for lunch, how long you will make me wait here’.

Anu I took leave today; sorry, I have forgotten to inform you. I stuck up in an emergency. I am with Nisha and I will call you later; He ended the call.

I used to have lunch with him and I had not had lunch on that day.

I was talking to my father, felt relieved from my thoughts.

But I am very much obsessive on Arjun, all my thoughts routed only to him. I am unlucky person to have anything in my life.

He didn’t even ask me whether I had lunch or not, today. When Nisha is there, Arjun never turned up and talked with me, why both were talking seriously? Everything clogged in my mind. I was not able to sleep the whole night and I saw Swapna; she is having a sound sleep.

I got a call from Arjun in the morning.

Anu, can you do a favor for me. Please come immediately to marriage registrar office, I am with Nisha.

- Stay here for the NEXT…

technology

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It's surely a dream come true device at a cheap price.

story

What Next - Chapter 4

‘Please stop Swapna! Control yourself, He is Arjun’.

‘Anu, Don’t stop her; Let her hand touches my cheek; I was in heaven, why you are disturbing? I was enjoying to get beaten up by a beautiful girl’, he chided me.

He might told playfully but both of our faces became red. Because of blush Swapna cheeks became red and because of anger my cheeks became red.

‘Anamika, you told that Swapna will have good looks but you never gave a hint that she is good at martial arts’, he said and giggled.

‘Anu, why you hidden Swapna for long time from me? You would have introduced Swapna before itself’, he said to me and turned towards Swapna and appreciated, ‘Swapna, you are looking so beautiful’.

‘Thanks for the compliment Arjun’, she said.

It does more red on both of our faces.

‘Swapna, I am really happy to see you’, he said.

‘Why?’, she questioned.

‘I used to think; I am the only one tolerating your horrible friend. But I got your companionship now’, he said and laughed abruptly.

Steam is gushing out from my ears.

‘How you are tolerating your incorrigible friend’, he asked again to Swapna.

‘Anu I am really proud of your black belt karate master. What you say?’, he asked me.

Yes, I am really proud I identified my jealous because of her. Never ever I experienced jealous before and now it is unleashing.

‘Yes, Arjun I am so proud of her that she beat you so hardly’, I chuckled.

‘I feel so grateful that I myself arranged this meeting to get beaten up by your best friend.’ he said and looked at us.

We three laughed.

‘Shall we go? My friends are waiting there’, he said.

He introduced his friends. Anu, this is Soft Shyam, Useless Akil, Sweet Nisha, Naughty Nilesh and Smiling Jeffin. Guys this is Daydreamer Anamika alias Anu and Black belt master Swapna.

I kicked him playfully and we all laughed.

This is the first time I was meeting him outside rather than the college campus and he was wearing casual. He really looked so awesome. I kept his beautiful picture in one of my memory rack. My eyes move automatically where ever he goes like a moon revolving around the earth.

We all chitchatted for a while and went to watch movie. The seating arrangement started with Akil, Shyam, Nilesh, Jeffin, Nisha and Arjun. Next to Arjun, two places left.

I was so panicked whether Swapna will sit next to him. So, I went in quickly and occupied the place. Swapna sat next to me. I monitored the heart beat ..yeah it became normal.

Sitting next to him, I feel someone has over coated sugar on me.

Though I was looking at him sometimes, I make sure to put U-turn and talked with Swapna.

I was perplexed whether the movie is playing on left side of Arjun. He is talking only to Nisha. I sneezed intentionally so that he will look at me, he turned to me and asked ‘Anu, are you fine?’

‘Yeah, Arjun I think I am not comfortable with this A.C.’, I told and laughed myself.

Movie has started. Though the theater had Dolby 5.1, nothing I heard and this big screen visuals not even attracted me a bit. I was watching my favourite movie, Arjun.

Inch by inch, I am building a massive architecture in my heart for him with my eyes.

These feelings might become useless; this stupid only listens to Nisha. I never craved anything like this before. So, I don’t care I just wanted to shower my love on him. It is not necessary that he should love me back. I believe in unconditional love I will love him throughout my life only for his eyes without any expectation.

Every one of us enjoyed the movie. Swapna and other friends went for shopping. Arjun was with me; Both Arjun and me was not interested in shopping.

Though I have to feel excited that Arjun was next to me, I stuck in a horrible situation. I want to go wash room before my cloud burst and I was searching for it.

By seeing my worst reactions, he understood and asked ‘Anu, Do you want to go wash room?’

I don’t know whether he is having six packs or eight packs but he is having a beautiful heart. Hey Arjun, what you will think if I hug you. I fell in love with him again even more than the Day 1 of my college.

He escorted me till outside of wash room and he collected my bag. He smiled at me and said ‘Don’t forget to check your smudged kajal’.

I came out and noticed he was sitting in the nearby coffee shop with two cups of coffee. This is what every female want from a male. Undoubtedly, every girl will fall in love with this alpha male. I want to grab him to kiss but I hesitated to do. I am going to cherish this moment throughout my lifetime.

I sat opposite to him and I was having coffee; I saw his glowing face and I was awestruck by his appearance whether he is really beautiful or my eyes exaggerate him.

He looked at my eyes and said, ‘Anamika, Can I say something?’

- Stay here for the NEXT…

story

What Next - Chapter 3

This is my number, Anamika. It’s hard to remember my number so, please do save my number in your mobile. Give a missed call or text me so that I would have your contact with me.

Whenever I stand in front of the almighty, I forget everything but why do I forget everything in front of Arjun. I closely stared at his eyes.

Anu, don’t mistake me. Your blood group is rare… even mine too. We both are universal donors. I will add your name and mobile number in the Blood Bank. Is that fine Anu?

‘Yeah, I am utter fine to receive blood whenever I need’, I said.

It’s time for us to laugh.

I finally texted him like, ‘Hi Arjun… I got your number, be ready to give rather to get blood’.

He texted back, ‘yeah, I too found your number and you as a vampire‘.

I cannot control my smiles. Swapna questioned me, ‘Anu, I can’t imagine you in mental hospital attire. Why are you laughing alone?’

‘Swapna, I frequently check whether I am having 32 teeth or not’, I answered.

She saw me from top to bottom like a dress shop doll having her favorite outfit and she asked me an unexpected question, ‘So, you got your friend?’

‘Yes, I guess’, I said and checked my 32 teeth again.

She looked at my eyes and she interrogated me, ‘what is his name?’

Why ‘he’? It can be ‘she’ also.

‘My instinct never goes wrong’, Swapna said and had a crook smile on her face.

He is Arjun; so smart, very clever and good-hearted person and he...

For me, name is enough…You can have everything else.

'Swapna'…I hit her with the pillow. We both started fighting with the pillow.

‘Anu, go to sleep’, I heard mom voice.

‘Mom always worried about you only Anu’, Swapna said.

I smiled and hugged her. She embraced me as well.

‘Anamika, don’t gulp the food. Eat slowly. No one is here to catch you.’

‘Arjun…Are you eating me? Look at your food and have’, I instructed him.

‘Anu…It’s so boring to see your face all the day and I feel so pathetic for myself’.

‘If you don’t like to see me, better close your eyes Arjun’, I said and winked at him.

‘Better I will shut my ears; I cannot hear your idiotic words’.

We both laughed together.

‘Ok Anu. Jokes apart, Shall I give an introduction to my friends… say yes?’

‘Male chauvinist’.

‘What?’, He asked innocently.

‘Why do you expect that I have to say yes?’

‘Yes sounds better than No’, he said and added ‘If you want to feel the differences between both the words say yes and then no Anu’.

To testify his words I told ‘Yes’ and then I was about to say No before uttering the word he said ‘Thanks Anu, as your wish I will arrange an outing with my friends’, he giggled.

Arjunn.. I slapped his back slightly and said ‘What a smart act!’

‘I got my Oscar’, he chuckled.

I pinched his right ear and said, ‘Even I have to intro Swapna to you’.

‘Anu, do you have any memory loss or amnesia?’, He asked me.

‘What?’, I puzzled.

‘You never told about your friend before. Then, you must have many hidden things from me and Anamika don’t think me as an archeologist to found out the hidden things’, he said and laughed.

Yes, please archeologist, do bury out the words which I am having for you in my heart. 'So, where shall we meet?', I asked.

‘Male chauvinist only orders and will not provide suggestions. So, Anamika now I order you to say some place’, he said and chuckled.

‘Take this opportunity Arjun….you have proved your smartness already and it’s time for you to prove that you have brain’, I chuckled with these words.

He laughed unhesitantly.

‘Hmmm… we can go for some mall and we can watch some movies…what say?’

‘Acknowledged, that you have brain’, I said.

We laughed immediately.

It’s Sunday.

‘Arjun, we both got ready’, I said.

On another end, Arjun told ‘I think I can’t make up; I will try to be on time, Anu.’

‘Be there at 12 pm sharply’, I ordered him.

‘Anu, your voice is so sweet to hear in mobile’.

‘Don’t flatter me. This is not the first time you’re talking to me over the mobile. Reach there on time. I am going to start from home. Bye Arjun. Come soon’, I said and ended the call.

‘Anu, bring my bike key. I have forgotten’, Swapna was shouting from downstairs.

I screamed, ‘Coming Swapna’. ‘Have your key and your helmet too. It’s my duty to protect your empty skull’, I told her.

She slapped me at my cheeks and told, ‘Thank you, dear!!’

She kick started the bike and we said bye to mom and dad.

'Swapna, take care of Anu'.

‘Of course, mom and I will’, she said.

‘After a long time, we both are traveling together. I feel like I got my wings’, I told to Swapna.

Before completing my sentence, Swapna interrupted and said, ‘Thanks to Arjun. He only arranged this right !’.

I agreed immediately to swapna. She stopped at ice cream shop.

I asked, ‘Why are you stopping here? Swapna, it’s already getting late. We can have ice cream later’.

‘Try to be and take ice cream dear’, she said and giggled.

We recollected our childhood days and felt cherished with those memories.

’Anu, wait outside I will park and come back’ Swapna said.

I was waiting outside the mall …..Meantime, someone closed my eyes.

I tried to take off the hand from my eyes. Though I was scared, I realized the fragrance later. My heart beat went up as usual. Neither I had a friend as Siddharth nor was I familiar with lies I started to play with him.

‘I know who this is, my close friend Siddharth; Am I right? Please take off your hand from my eyes and its aching, Siddharth. You never changed a bit from childhood. Try to change your attitude or else I need to change my friend’.

‘Siddharth, Siddharth’, I was pleading to irritate him further. 'Hey Sidd, I want to see your eyes; kindly take off your hand from my eyes. Sidd, don't behave like a kid’, I said.

Consequently, as expected unexpected silence spreads out.

I heard a very feeble voice ….the voice which will bring my life back…the voice will always give so pleasure…I heard…” So, have you forgotten your SORCERER?”

'Arrjuunn'…..I turned back and looked at his eyes with an innocent act. Same sandwich eyes where I stuffed, myself. I slightly patted him and I started to hit him playfully.

I was so shocked to see someone is beating Arjun other than me.

I cried, ‘Don’t bit him up. Please stoppp…’.

- Stay here for the NEXT…

private browser secure technology

Surf Anonymously - A Private Browser Story

Private browser, most of the people know about this, but only a few know how to utilise their features. Private browsers are not just limiting you from avoiding to store your surfing history and not only the generally known term “porn-mode”.

Browsers normally store data of your browsing history. When you visit a website, it logs a site in the browser history, saves cookies to auto complete some of the functions for later use. (Like storing your password or IP address to make sure you are not visiting the site for the first time) and saves some bits for the pages called cache to reduce your page load time. So these features help you in giving suggestions to make your surfing smooth but at the same time it will reveal all your surfing details to local attacker or intruder if they want to capture your details. To avoid this problem, Apple’s Safari browser was the one first introduced private browsing in 2005 than in 2008 Google’s Chrome come up with smart Incognito tabs. After Firefox’s Private browser and Internet Explorer’s private browsers came into the market at 2009. Systematically, private browsers will delete all cookies and sessions when you close the browser and it makes sure to not store your browsing history.

But before get into detail of features in using private browsing, we need to make sure of what it is not.

Private browser only gets access to your system, it will choose to store or not to store your browsing details to the system. So, it doesn’t deal with servers and routers which the websites travelling from before to reach your system. Hence, if you are in Office or College network, they can track your browser history. And in your own home/mobile network also has the Internet provider which can log your browsing history. So, these private browsers allow you to escape from some third parties whom they directly handling your device to get to know your browser history, password or some other details.

And it doesn’t stop any spyware applications to monitor your browser activities and taking snapshots. So what we could get from this private browser?

Escape from annoying targeted Ads:

Ever wondered about the ads showing on the sites you visiting, those are about the products which are same you were searching on various E-commerce sites or in Google for the suggestions. Google and other E-commerce websites get yearnings by sending your surfing details to ad providers by storing details into the system in the form cookies and your profile statistics. Hence, ad providers can easily target you by showing the ads relevant to your search results in all the websites you visiting. So to avoid from this targeting ads, private browsers helps in not revealing your history of usages.

Using multiple accounts at same time:

You may face the problem of using your personal and office mail accounts by logging in out. To avoid that you can open a separate private browser and log into one of your other accounts and can access both at the same time. Access your multiple social site accounts at same time and engage with others actively at all time ;).

To trick some sites:

Some websites allow you to use their products with trial periods by saving your details in cookies. So when next time you visit that site, they can track you by the help of cookies saved in your system and block you from using the product. Hence, the trick comes in the form of private browser to hide you from them by deleting your cookies. You can do this in your normal browser by deleting your cookies, but how many times you are going to repeat that work. Let the private browser do this for you.

Safe transactions:

It’s always better to use the private browser when coming to online transactions. You may not be aware of which extension in your browser saving all your passwords or sometimes you itself let the browser to save your passwords. It will help some random users to easily get into your account. But this private browser never ever saves any of your data in any form. So without worrying about any backend hassles let the private browser score your confidence level.

Convenient in browsing public devices:

Worried about browsing in “Browsing Centres” or never wanted to let your friend/relative to know your browsing history when you are in their home?. Be convenient and use the private browser and never leave any footprint behind you.

Though private browser helps in not storing your browsing details still, some websites can track your details. Most of the E-commerce sites doing that. So, my advice is to use the private browser when you are in the social mood to share something and interested in cash flow with secure websites. Recently Firefox released their version of 42, focused on avoid tracking from sites in the private browser. They mentioned, it mostly helpful in avoiding you from the tracking of social sites. Duckduckgo.com is the most convenient search engine you can find to avoid yourself from tracking by attackers.

story

What Next - Chapter 2

Anamika…Anamika… Yes, this is my name.

I was slowly recovering from my stupor state and it slowly reached my eardrums ‘Anamikaaa’ which brought me back to my world. I looked at him and he was staring at me like an alien is sitting next to him.

He was about to say something and told casually, ‘you got a great inborn skill’.

Even though I was not recovered completely from the trance state, I blinked at him and asked with confusion ‘What?’

‘It’s rare to see people who can dream without sleeping’, he giggled.

I was out of my temperament. With anger I said, ‘I suppose it’s my turn to question you and not yours. I asked earnestly who are you and how you got to know my name?’

‘Can you guess? How I was able to find your name?’

I wondered though I have good looks why he thinks me as a CID or a detective and he asked me to investigate the things. I didn’t like to scratch my mind and I called him by having strict vocal tone ‘Mr. I anticipate an answer from you, not questions’.

‘I thought you are a genius, Anamika’ by saying this he laughed abruptly.

Neither his words nor his ridiculous laugh provoked anger on him but then with stringent voice I told ’Excuse me Mr. Did I bribe you to think so?’

‘It’s simple Anamika, Just look around you’.

I turned around and noticed the world. It was too elegant as I am having him next to me. I didn’t show up those feelings to him. I said, ‘I can see only a stupid who is sitting in front of me’ with an irritated tone.

‘Is this your note ‘Anamika’?’ he chuckled.

I looked at my note which I kept next to me and I looked at him. He was giggling at me. I stared him rudely.

Don’t look me like that and I am not a terrorist he laughed. ‘It’s time for my introduction, Anamika. Do you want any of my notebooks to know my name?’ he asked with a half-suppressed laugh.

Though I was trying to control, I laughed immediately.

‘I am ‘Arjun’ little extrovert, love to find friends and I got you. I think you don’t have friends here…’

‘Are you a sorcerer? Or how you are presuming the things? Yes I don’t have', I said

Don’t you think? You have a friend here.

‘What?’ I asked him with a perplexing expression on my face.

You have a handsome friend called ‘Arjun’… Is this sorcerer is right?

We burst out our laugh to the hell.

Don’t dream again Anamika!

‘Arjun? Don’t mock me’.

Your mobile is ringing.

Yeah...sorry…Just a second Arjun…

Sure…

Hello, I said. On another end, Swapna told that she is waiting outside. I replied her that I will come out and ended the call.

Arjun…I called him.

Anamika you can leave. Bye. See you tomorrow.

I replied him back with a bye and started to move out. I want to glance at him again…Really, he is a sorcerer who has cast some spell on me.

By seeing me, Swapna called me ‘Hey Anu…’ with joyous voice and cuddled me tightly.

‘Swapna if one more cuddles I will die for sure’.

‘Shut up, Anu. Don’t dare to say that again.’

‘Chill out Swapna…I was just kidding. Come on dear, how was the day?’

I let you say first…Looks like you are so happy… Anything special happened to you, Anu?

‘Yes, it’s so special…’ I heard my mind voice… ‘Leave those Swapna…Tell what happened to you’. Swapna shared her college tales and she got many friends.

Anu, have you got any friends?

Hmm…yeah…Arj…

Meantime dad told playfully, ‘If at all I travel to the whole world also, your chats would never end. Could you both get down please, my ladies?’

Swapna’s mother always had an extreme affection for me. Nevertheless to say I will call her mom and she asked me to have some snacks.

‘Mom, can I change my name to Anu and from then on I can expect you will shower some love on me’, by saying this Swapna winked at her mom with utter naughtiness.

We all laughed to the core.

It’s night 10’o clock. When would I sleep? I told his name ‘Arjun…’ unknowingly I smiled. Its 10.30… I was thinking about him. I placed my heart in his sandwich eyes. How can this be possible?

‘Anu, when you will sleep?’ Swapna enquired.

‘Before, you sleep’, I laughed and hugged her.

Its 8’o clock in the morning we were getting ready for the college. Before I leave I was checking myself in front of the mirror. I didn’t remember the exact count as I was bit weak in math and not able to have a count in my mind I admired myself many times.

By having eyes on my activities, Swapna told ‘congratulations Anu, for your Miss World competition’.

Stop mocking me Swapna and asked suggestions from her ‘Is this dress is nice? Am I looking good?’

‘You know well. Yes, you are always but not than me’.

I patted on her back playfully.

We had our breakfast and dad will be dropping us.

Needless to say, Swapna was talking to me but I was indulged in my thoughts ‘whether I will meet him today?’, ‘why I didn’t ask for his mobile number?’, ‘Will he identify me even today’

By seeing me quiet for a long time, dad called me ‘Anu… Anu… what happened to you? Are you fine? Why are you so silent?’

I grinned and said ‘Nothing dad, I am utter fine’. Again I and Swapna immersed in our chatting.

Though it’s my second day, I don’t have a weird feeling which I had on my first day. I was so eager and so gleeful to get into the campus. All the way I was looking for him, but nowhere he is. Where are you sorcerer?

Even though I got friends today, to meet him I came alone and having lunch on the same place. I was eating alone and not able to get the taste of my food. Meanwhile, my heart beat went up and sensed same fragrance. I heard some voice behind me.

‘Shall I join with you Anu? Can I call you as Anu?’

For both the questions…My answer would be yes. I turned and smiled at him innocently.

‘Anu, are you expecting me’.

I should admit and applaud that you have a good sense of humour.

We both laughed instantly.

Days rolled down and we became good friends like mirror and image. Still, I don’t have his number. I was scrubbing my mind for some strategy to get his number. Though, so many things dumped into my mind I had courage and called him…’Arjun’

‘Yes…Anu?’

‘Shall we play? I asked innocently and I continued ‘I will ask you some questions and you have to answer. After my turn, you have to ask’. Is that fine, Arjun. I am starting. What is your favorite colour?’

‘Black… and now it’s my turn Anu, what is your blood group?’

O+ve, I said. So many things we both asked. Time ran so fast I glanced at my watch which is showing teeth at me. My soul erodes me to ask his number.

Once again, I gathered all my courage and without any hurries I was about to ask ‘Arjun…. what is your’ with pause I completed that sentence ‘favourite food?’

Without a second thought, he said ‘Biriyani. He called me and said ‘I am leaving Anu. Do you have anything else to ask?’

I told in a slow, hesitant voice ‘Yes, I have’.

‘Is it you told something?’

Nothing Arjun. Bye!!!

‘Okay, Anu. Bye… will meet you tomorrow’.

After he walked two steps, he turned back and opened his mouth to say something and he told ………

I found myself dumbstruck!!

- Stay here for the NEXT…

Celebrity general Politics

All that glitters is not gold - A view on celebrity-politicians

People started focusing on politics only in last few decade( albeit for criticizing ). I was never a fan of politics, never cared to update myself on it. Not until celebrities stepped in. I started reading more about them and even started following their news.

So why was there a sudden surge of celebrities in politics?

Reason

Political parties would rent celebrities to endorse their group by making them take part in various party campaigns or, as we say in showbiz, for doing cameos.

The most important aspect to be a politician is to gather supporters whereas other requirements like qualification and intentions take the back seat. For an established actor/sportsperson, it is comparative, an easy task, since they would already have a huge ardent fan base.

Apart from few who genuinely come for public service, some celebrities see politics as a profession after retirement, to stay in the limelight.

As they are great crowd pullers, they can amass a huge crowd in no time which a normal wannabe politician takes great effort to do. But will it help in long term? I guess we all know the answer.

Why very few succeed?

Every profession requires time and dedication. As history shows, actors turned politicians, don't leave their acting career completely. Some were not able to cope with the challenges and pressure in politics. Because of which most of their political shows remained short lived. Amitabh and Govinda from Bollywood left politics after their stint of 3 and 5 years respectively. Saying that it was their worst decision.

But there are few who have really made a place in history. From Bollywood Sunil Dutt and Vinod Khanna, with their hard work and genuine involvement in politics, were able to win parliamentary seats for the second time as well. The first known successful actor-politician in south India is M.G.Ramachandran ( MGR ). From his movies, he became a god-like figure among people, which made him Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu until his last breath.

Their contributions so far

Though they tried to make changes during their initial period. Their involvement faded away eventually. Most famous cricketers like Azharuddin, Navjot Singh Siddhu and Sachin Tendulkar have rarely made their presence in parliamentary meetings. Moreover, the issues raised by them in parliament are very few.

Whether they are able to successfully serve people in spite of other influencing factors such as opposition parties, corruption, is a completely different story.

What they could do

Celebrities are people who are admired, looked upon and are, in a way, closer to the common people. Since gaining people's trust in the initial phase is not a big thing for them, they can actually focus all their efforts in public issues. They can easily convince people to work for the development of the country.

Like Amitabh's endorsement for Polio drops helped India to become a Polio free country, as says the statistics.

Similarly, if they channelize their power in hand, they could do a great deal of things for the country.

Conclusion

Then again, are the non-celebrity politicians doing justice to their profession? That should be up for debate. There are good and bad examples for celebrity turned politicians, it all depends on their intention and dedication. They have all rights to contest in elections. It is up to people to decide whether they are worth staying.

story

What Next - Chapter 1

Prologue:

Tears rolls down on my cheeks, could not read the reactions of my dad’s face. I’m beseeching him for the answer, “Dad, What happened to him?” He is still facing down and dared to say anything.

I want to shout but I can’t. What happened to him? Why is he in hospital? Say something dad please.

"Please stay calm dear, nothing happened to him". Don’t try to console me dad. Tell me where he is? I just got the hospital name from dad. I have to go fast as much I can. Why this world turned against me.

Like a dream everything happened just few years back…!!

What Next - Chapter 1

I felt like still I am in dream. I was trying to wake me up but I can’t. Lying on the bed, thinking of the past. Is it I had done with my schoolings? Oh...no, Today is my first day to college. I was so scared. Don’t think I was an average student. I scored good marks and I got a good decent college. I scared because my friends didn’t get seats in the same college. So, I will be completely alone in an unknown island. I am staying in my friend’s house. Soon, I need to search for a hostel.

At this hour I need to describe myself before you think of some face for me. I am little modern, above average, fair girl with utter smartness. I am neither talkative nor calm. I am an easy going girl cares only today. I can hear swapna's father voice. I had to move out from swapna home because I don’t want to be a security guard standing outside the campus and checking my fellow mates ID card. I don’t want to run late to the college.

We are about to start our journey. I just need to join with swapna as I had college in the way to Swapna College. Me and swapna was chitchatting and making noise like rolling dice. Dad was noticing everything, I usually call Swapna's father as dad. I had to get down as I reached my college. Before that swapna hugged me tightly and asked me to “take care”. I don’t want to wet my eyes. I told her bye and “Best of luck”. Dad told he will pick me up in the evening. I showed small curve on my lips and he smiled back.

Butterflies are gushing out from my stomach. I took my first step into the college with left leg. Rubbing my head, I was thinking why I placed left leg instead of right leg. Why this stupid silly superstitious question came to my mind? I kept those questions aside and walked in to the campus with full of confidence. Campus environment seems to be a pizza. Overall appearance is good. Like the toppings in it, people are roaming here and there; it’s so clumsy. Ultimately, you know the taste of pizza how it will be and same I felt with the campus. I was searching my class room like the child who lost her address. Yup, I found my address.

Before entering into the class room, I can see all fellow mates are looking like news reporters having their camera focused on me. I smiled before they clicked. It was just an induction session and so boring. I was missing swapna a lot. Bell rang and everyone became gleeful as they heard their favorite song. I was roaming with my notebooks. I sat in the bench which was in the lawn.

Wow what a fragrance, flowers were blossomed in the backyard. I can sense some other eyes observing me. I turned around and I had to unearth those eyes. I saw him; somewhere I saw him. His eyes were so special. I felt like I was flying in the sky. I checked my feet. Good, it’s still on the topsoil. Why he is so bright, can someone please reduce his brightness? I saw his attractive special sandwich eyes. It’s having some story especially for me and I felt that I was reading a favourite novel in kindle notebook. I can see the rainbow which laid a bridge between us.

It’s really a miracle that everything went out of focus except him. I don’t have canon but I could zoom in and took a picture of him. I could see some paintings whenever he waver his hand. An artist whose gonna make my life so colourful.

Why it is not raining? Why it is not breezing? Why these tree flowers are not falling down? Though I never believed in such stupid love cliches, I wanted them to happen just for me; yes, just for me. I thought this should be a dream which will fade away soon.

I was melting like a chocolate. He saw me. He smiled at me. I know I am dreaming. He walked towards me. I asked myself that I should not dream anymore at this moment. He sat next to me. I need to stop my inner thoughts. Please someone pinch me to wake me up from my dreams. He said something. I was in the world where those words had not reached my ears. Though I was not a good lip-reader, I can presume. How he knows?? I had not told to anyone from the morning. How he knows?? This should be a dream.

e-commerce e-retailer India technology

A Billion Learning to Buy in Online - The Story of e-commerce in India

It was 11 in the morning, I desperately waiting for a call from an unknown number. Yeah, an unknown number. 10 minutes later I received a call. In another end, "Sir, I'm calling from Flipkart. May I know the landmark to reach your place?". And yes, this was the call I expected. I enquired him with an employer style, "Where are you now?". Directed him with my exact whereabouts. Buying products from few clicks are the fun part.

Hope most of you feeling the same excitement when you receive the products purchased through online e-commerce services.

These e-commerce services made our life easy by making us buy products in our finger touch. Now I can order a gift to my school friend on his birthday to give him a surprise in my busy schedule. Still, there are many talk shows in all news channels having a serious discussion about the bane of e-commerce to the local retailer and vendor. But I'm sure, the person who talks there might have purchased their costly watch or any other cosmetics through e-commerce services. Let's keep that aside and focus this latest booming technology.

India is a country with a diverse population, the normal brick-and-mortar retail structure could not get to all areas and cater to the entire population. Hence, the e-commerce and e-retailing got a strong position.

In 2010-11, it was new for India to buy things online. People feared mostly about the reliability of paying through online, quality of the products and so on. But the rate of internet and smartphone users increased drastically and the awareness about e-commerce services reached most of the metro city people and got a good response. It started from buying books, electronic devices and now we can buy A to Z through online. The availability of various brands, exciting offers and products reaching directly to our home are the notable points for the growth e-commerce.

Marketing is the key role in business. During the convocation of a college in Chennai, Ratan Tata admitted the greatest mistake in Nano car’s marketing was branding it as the cheapest car instead of calling it as a most affordable car. People love the word of luxury but dared to spend more money. So e-commerce industries used this chance to showcase luxury things to buy in an affordable way. Cash on delivery is still the best way for them to reach most of the Indians, hence most of the purchase happening via this feature. Another option is an EMI, now we can buy Rs.4000/- mobile through an EMI and pay it in a most affordable way. So the success of e-commerce lies in making the buyers comfortable and nurture them.

Digital buyers statistics:

*2015 & 2016 are expected counts.

Based on above data, each and every year the growth of online buyers increased from 10-50%. These stats makes a huge difference in the global market to focus on India. Though the number of companies increased and their revenue started to flow in billions, India's e-commerce remains in nascent stages and yet reached its true potential.

From 350 million of internet users 30 million buyers is just 9%, we are targeting for more said SnapDeal CEO in latest interview. India's e-commerce was worth about $12.6 billion in 2013 and now it is more than $20 billion and it expected to $100 billion in next five years.

After the growth of Flipkart and SnapDeal, in 2013 the behemoth Amazon entered to India. Hence the real growth of e-commerce emerged, amazon announced their $2 billion investment after the Flipkart's successful big billion day. To stay in the competition, SnapDeal attracted the investors of Ratan Tata and Alibaba the biggest retailer in china. And then the investments for e-commerce sectors started to flow in millions. Paytm expanded their recharging website to sell products, Mynthra merged with Flipkart, e-commerce companies invested in delivery service based companies to make their presence strongly into the field. $6.2 billion poured into e-commerce industries as the investment in first nine months of this year surpassing the $5.12 billion in 2014 as per the survey conducted by Tracxn a startup company which tracks funds.

Usage of debit and credit card surges 12% and 23% compared with last year which shows the impact of e-commerce in online payment. In a recent note, SBI announced internet banking usage for e-commerce increased 200% in this year. E-wallet is the next big revolution in India, Paytm expects a billion wallet users in upcoming years and currently it has 170 million of users. Comparatively China's Alipay has 350 million and eBay's PayPal has 270 million of wallet users.

On other hands, Online travel booking industries showing the growth of 31% year on year with the revenue of $9.1 billion. And the first quarter (January-April) of this year they received $40 million funds compared with $14 million of funds in last year's first quarter. As per Tourism Ministry of India, the country’s travel and tourism market is growing at the rate of 7.5% in 2015 and it shares Rs.8.22 trillion to India’s GDP this year. And this online travel sector sharing 50% of wealth to total e-commerce in India estimated to be in the range of $11-16 billion.

According to me, the numbers are not showing the growth of any firms but the faith of people. It’s about the quality of the product, delivering on time and mainly the customer service. Though some big companies in India failing in the customer service I hope it will fade away soon and makes way for true user-friendly shopping.